School reunion honour for retiring head

Susan Plunkett

Three generations turned out in force to pay tribute to one of the county’s longest serving teachers.

Mrs Christine Taylor has been teaching at Mellor Primary School for 37 years, virtually her entire career, apart from two years spent at a school in Bingley.

The best part of the job for me has been teaching the children although the job has changed dramatically over the years

Christine Taylor

And for the past 16 years Mrs Taylor has been headteacher. So her retirement heralds the end of an era at the 144 pupil school.

“I have been very happy here,” said Mrs Taylor. “It is a lovely, friendly school with a great atmosphere in the classroom. The best part of the job for me has been teaching the children although the job has changed dramatically over the years with one of the biggest changes being the introduction of technology.

“We have gone from not having any computers to a suite with one for every child in there.”

Originally from Skipton, Mrs Taylor is now teaching pupils whose grandparents she once had in her classroom, an accomplishment not many in her profession can lay claim to today.

Mrs Taylor, who has three daughters, one of whom she is planning to visit in Australia, has loved working with children and any advice she would give to someone thinking of becoming a teacher would be to make sure they are at the forefront of everything you do.

She said: “Always be professional and remember that the most important thing in this job is the children.

“Teaching them through the years has been a real joy. Seeing them grow and learn new things is very rewarding, esepcially when you are part of it.”

As part of her leaving celebrations a school reunion was held with past and current pupils from year six who Mrs Taylor has taught. There was also a leaving service and a concert held in Mrs Taylor’s honour.

She said: “There were hundreds of people at the reunion, it was a very special occasion.”

Mrs Taylor now has a list of pursuits planned for her new found free time.